A former Strictly Come Dancing star will be returning to the dance floors to replace a 2025 star.
The Strictly final takes place this weekend, with Amber Davies, George Clarke and Karen Carney battling to earn the Glitterball trophy.
Once the show finishes, the popular Strictly Live Arena Tour will take place.
The full line-up for the tour has now been revealed, and a former finalist on the show is making a return to replace one of the celebrities from this year.
Layton Williams to make Strictly return for 2026 Live Tour
Actor Layton Williams, who finished as a finalist in the 2023 series, will step back onto the dance floor as a special guest, reuniting with former professional partner Nikita Kuzmin and replacing his partner Amber Davies.
Nikita has been dancing with Amber for the 2025 series, who replaced Dani Dyer, who withdrew after fracturing her ankle during training.
Latyon's series was won by Coronation Street star Ellie Leach and professional partner Vito Coppola.
After sharing the stage at Blackpool last month during the alumni showcase, Layton and Nikita will now take some of their most-loved routines on the road, performing for arena audiences across the UK.
Layton is an actor, perhaps best known for his role in the BBC series Bad Education alongside Jack Whitehall.
The star began his career as a child actor on the West End, starring as the titular role of Billy Elliot the Musical and a young Michael Jackson in Thriller – Live.
He won the 2025 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance in Titanique.
The 31-year-old said he was “so excited” to be reunited with Nikita, adding: "It’s an honour to be asked back and able to do this twice. Thank you and see you soon."
Full line-up for 2026 Strictly Live Tour revealed
As well as Layton's return, it was also revealed that George Clarke and Alexis Warr, Lewis Cope with Katya Jones, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley will also be on the tour, alongside many famous faces from the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing series.
Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, La Voix, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, will also be returning to the Strictly dance floor.
La Voix was forced to withdraw from the BBC dancing programme during Blackpool week due to injury.
However, stars Tom Skinner, Ross King, Chris Robshaw, Stefan Dennis, Alex Kingston, Balvinder Sopal and Karen Carney are not among the eight couples listed to appear on the tour.
The full 2026 Strictly Live Tour line-up is as follows:
- George Clarke and Alexis Warr
- Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer
- La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec
- Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola
- Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington
- Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
The judging panel for the tour will feature Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, while Janette Manrara returns as host following her role on It Takes Two.
When is the 2026 Strictly Live Tour?
The eight couples will tour the country in January and February, beginning at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on January 23.
There will be 30 shows, with the last at London’s The O2 on February 15.
Along the way, the production will hit arenas in Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Nottingham.
Attending fans in the audience watching each night will vote to decide who lifts the Glitterball Trophy, with the judges offering their scores and commentary but leaving the final say to the crowd.
Tickets for the 2026 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour are on sale now and can be purchased online.
Recommended reading:
- All the Strictly Come Dancing stars forced to quit the 2025 series
- Strictly's Shirley Ballas 'terrified' as she 'couldn't breathe' before BBC show
- BBC confirms if Strictly's Sunday result show will be axed amid reports
What time is the Strictly 2025 final on TV?
The Strictly Come Dancing 2025 final will be on BBC One on Saturday, December 20, at 7pm.
As well as seeing which of the three couples will lift the Glitterball trophy, it is the last regular series show for presenting partners Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who are stepping down from the series.
They will be back one last time for the festive special on Christmas Day.
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